How Baltimore's youngest mayor is navigating crime and pandemic crises

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Brandon Scott took office at 36, becoming the youngest mayor in Baltimore's history. Facing a dual crisis of gun violence and the coronavirus, he has implemented controversial police budget cuts and unique housing protections to reshape the city's future.

Brandon Scott assumed the Baltimore mayoralty in 2020, following the resignation of Catherine Pugh and the subsequent elevation of Jack Young. At 36, he became the youngest person to hold the office in the city's history. His administration has been defined by navigating complex social and public health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and significant fluctuations in violent crime.

During the pandemic, Scott's leadership involved strict mandates, including closing restaurants and capping various retail and religious gatherings at 25 percent capacity. He also engaged in a public dispute with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan over the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine doses, specifically requesting that 50 percent of state doses be reserved for city-run mass-vaccination sites.

On the issue of public safety, Scott's tenure has seen a tension between reform and funding. While he supported cutting $22 million from the policing budget in 2020, his first budget in 2021 actually included a $28 million increase for the police department. To combat gun violence, he implemented the Group Violence Reduction Strategy in the Western Police District, which reported a 33.8% decrease in gun violence by December 2022.

Scott has also focused on urban revitalization and housing stability. His administration has explored plans to revitalize blighted areas with an $8 billion proposal and has taken steps to protect residents from tax sales by removing owner-occupied homes from the process. He was the first Baltimore mayor since Martin O'Malley to secure a second term in 2024.

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